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Some ‘compromise’ on ombudsman

Ombud's term extended, Oct. 31

Sat., Nov. 3, 2012

Re: Ombud's term extended, Oct. 31

Are you kidding me? That Rob Ford would claim that he “compromised” by agreeing to extend Fiona Crean by two years instead of the five years as indicated in provincial legislation is predictable. Politically, even Ford had to realize he was on thin ice, after the petty and vengeful firing of Toronto Transit Commission chief general manager Gary Webster.

Now he will claim that he is open to compromise; it’s the “pinkos” on council who are obstructionist. But for the other city councillors to claim it’s a win to compromise on integrity is appalling.

The mayor has no concept of conflict of interest. If he thinks about codes of conduct, protocols and rules, he acts as if they are for other people. He has demonstrated his incompetence in his understanding the operations of the city as he did in stating the 80 per cent of the city budget went to salaries, and has no idea what the roles and responsibilities of a mayor are let alone of city staff.

Ford apologists indulge his incompetence the way we might indulge a self-centred 2-year-old, as demonstrated when Ford suggested that the work of the integrity commissioner, ombudsman and lobbyist registrar was done by one person, a lawyer on retainer in Mississauga. So Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday stated Ford may have misconstrued information that he gave him.

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What great fodder for cynics who have come to believe that politicians’ self-preservation will take precedence over honour and respect for the privilege of representing the office that they hold.

Barbara Fannin, Pickering

The bullying political interference by the Ford brothers and Giorgio Mammoliti is exactly why the public needs a Fiona Crean as ombudman. Did the Fords and Mammo dress up as the Three Stooges on Halloween?

Dale Kowcenuk, Toronto

It’s such a shame that a wonderful, world-class city like Toronto is being governed by two “high school” bullies and their cadre of hangers on. To think that the good citizens of Toronto believed the spin and rhetoric two years ago, about waste and gravy and trains, is truly unfortunate given what’s transpired since.

What a mess, what a shame.

Amanda Traynor, Caledon

Moammar Gadhafi didn’t have an integrity commissioner or an ombudsman. Why should Rob Ford have to suffer the slings and arrows of those outrageous bureaucrats?

John Fraser, Toronto

The vote in support of the “compromise” in giving Ms Crean a two-year extension sets a terrible example, one that clearly has forgotten recent history for those of us who still have some hopes for ethics in government — hopes beaten down continuously by federal, provincial, and municipal behaviours.

Just like Prime Minister Stephen Harper (how I hate to write that combination of words) who demonizes, punishes, and then fires all who oppose him or make an effort to bring into the light the astonishingly numerous things he does in the dark, the Ford brothers have learned their historical lesson that without watchdogs they are freer to be corrupt. And this 41-3 vote puts them all in the same category.

Ironically, the most morally questionable of the councillors, Giorgio Mammoliti, was on the right side of this vote, but of course for the wrong reasons.

The legislation is clear and unambiguous: a renewal should be for another five-year term. Yet because Ms Crean dared to speak the truth to power and expose herself to the usual bullying response of those she exposes, she is “punished” by being given a two-year extension when her behaviours in office have been both competent and on target sends just the sort of message that her successor will ignore at their peril. It wasn’t so long ago that the TTC lost a capable and honest administrator.

Adam Vaughan called it a victory. It was, in truth, a terrible defeat for ethics in government. And a clear vote of permission for future mayors and councillors to act in their own self-interest.

Steven Gaber, Toronto

So council collapsed in the onslaught of Mayor Rob Ford’s continuing bullying. This is called a “compromise”? Well, maybe. But some interesting comments from counsellors in the article point to some interesting conclusions.

First the mayor’s brother (Tweedledum or Tweedledummer?) says about the mayor “He compromised. It shows he’s maturing as mayor.” This is a flagrant admission that in fact Rob Ford has been childish in his behaviour on council although in the past Doug Ford has backed his brother entirely.

Only time will tell if either Ford has learned to compromise, but history is the best predictor of behaviour and the history of Toronto city council for the last two years indicates that the intransigence will continue.

Councillor Mammoliti claims the mayor has “negotiated with the devil.” Well enough said about that particular person, who seems not to understand the meaning of the word compromise.

Councillors Vaughan and Fletcher claim victory because Ford “wanter her (the ombusman) gone” and they forced a compromise. I truly wonder who made a pact with the devil.

In the meantime, nothing has been done to penalize the mayor for his many infractions of integrity.

But I guess Fiona Crean will remain in her job at least until the Ford tenure is gone — at least one hopes.

Stephen L. Bloom, Toronto

Rob Ford has rarely followed council rules and, not having real penalties for breaking the rules (previously there were no watchdogs, hence no penalties), there was no reason to change his behaviour. Why should he, the “Ford Nation” defended him all the time, so his behaviour never was needed to change.

As a councillor his behaviour was boorish, but limited in scope. Now he is mayor, what may be tolerated previously as a councillor should not be as mayor. Now he is blaming those who would call him on his behaviour.

Rob Ford runs the mayor’s office the way a bully runs a schoolyard, everyone follows his lead until they have had enough and stand up to him, and finding he has no other tools of persuasion he becomes powerless.

Rob Ford can redeem himself, but he needs to accept responsibility for his words and actions, to defend respectfully when confronted, apologize when proven wrong.

Rob, please man up, show up prepared, lead respectfully with forethought and dignity, have reasoned and thought out plans to back your ideas, show the respect the office and all the citizens of Toronto deserves, in both words and deeds. Accept responsibility, which includes making amends when you have wronged others.

If you cannot do this then please admit that you cannot and respect the office enough to leave with dignity.

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